The Cuyahoga County Correction Center’s (CCCC) average daily inmate population (ADP) is affected by the operations of the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court (CPC) General Division. Beginning in March 2020, the CPC approved several actions regarding the Court’s ongoing response to COVID-19 .  These activities include collaboration with the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department, the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, the Cuyahoga County Public Defender’s Office, and MetroHealth Medical Center to address the potential of COVID-19 in the jail and to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 among defendants, correctional, judicial, and community agencies’ staff members.

During the Q4-20, CPC Judges continued to balance public safety with public health concerns. Pre-trial hearings were conducted through technology (e.g., audio-video conferencing); nonviolent, low-risk inmates were released to home detention programs, and criminal jury trials were suspended (per Ohio Supreme Court rulings). Despite these efforts, the jail’s average daily population began to rise to undesirable levels. In response, the Cuyahoga County Sheriff's Department took the unprecedented step of issuing two orders to prevent an increase in COVID-19 cases among inmates and public safety staff members. These orders resulted in a 9% decrease of the CCCC inmate population in December, as the misdemeanor sentenced population was released to municipal jurisdiction, and parole violators were returned to state control.

By decreasing the inmate population, the jail was better positioned to quarantine and isolate inmates who were infected or who had come into close contact with those testing positive for COVID-19. In comparison to 2019's fourth quarter ADP (n = 1,945) the jail experienced a population decline of 26% (Q4-20). As the Q4-20 ADP numbered 1,444 inmates, it is important to note that these individuals were not released into the community as they were accused of, or convicted and awaiting transport to prison for, committing violent acts, sex offenses, or other serious crimes.